BAGHDAD - Spc. Jon Stricklin, a squad automatic weapon gunner and personal security detail member from Greenville, N.C., assigned to Company A "Anvils," 252nd Combined Arms Battalion, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, escorts his company commander to a meeting in the East al-Rashid District, here, June 9. Stricklin and his fellow North Carolina National Guard Soldiers from the 30th HBCT have been in Baghdad for about 5 weeks.

BAGHDAD - Stockbridge, Wis., native, Joseph Vandenboom, an infantryman team leader also assigned as a PSD member, A Co., 252nd CAB, 30th HBCT, talks with an Iraqi teenager in the East al-Rashid District, here, June 9. "We keep the company commander out of trouble and keep him safe," said Vandenboom, who is on his third tour to Iraq. "We make sure he stays out of danger, so he can maneuver our company."

BAGHDAD - Iraqi flags wave in the distance as Greenville, N.C., native, Spc. Jon Stricklin, a squad automatic weapon gunner assigned to A Co., 252nd CAB, 30th HBCT, scans his sector of fire while waiting for his company commander to finish meeting with Iraqi community members in East al-Rashid, here, June 9.

BAGHDAD - Spc. Jon Stricklin, a squad automatic weapon gunner from Greenville, N.C., is replaced on guard by Spc. Jonathan Hernandez, an infantryman from Bronx, N.Y., both PSD members assigned to A Co., 252nd CAB, 30th HBCT. The Soldiers, assigned to the North Carolina National Guard, were guarding their company commander who attended a meeting with local Iraqis to discuss improvements in their community in East al-Rashid, here, June 9. Both Soldiers said they are enthusiastic about their future and want to continue their military careers.